Christmas And A Wedding To Cater For

Heading to Perth with Grandpa, Mom and Dad to celebrate Christmas with the sister and new brother-in-law. Then it's also a wedding reception after for the people in Perth who missed the actual one. Lots to cater for. I live for such things… Can't Wait!

It's A Boy!

Congratulations Mandy & Puran!

Adding A New Member To The Family

Going off to Koh Samui for a secret plan but I think most can guess from the title. Hopefully I don't have too much fun that I forget to come back to reality. TTFN Singapore!

Something In The Stars

Was thinking about certain people born this time of the year and it turns out I seem to know quite a few people born under the sign of Cancer.

As I've always been reading up on zodiac signs, I always wondered if it's true about Cancer and Libra being an incompatible pair.

Maybe it could be right if it was referring to relationships with the opposite gender. I realised that I was actually quite alright with the female friends who are born under this sign. In fact, I have 2 who even have a similar mindset.

However, when it comes to the males, it's a totally different story and they all seem to have that common knack of pissing me off.

Just like when I first met Brendan... I didn't like him because he was really childish and disrespectful. But then he grew on me.

Then there is Yau Ching, who was too proud to even smile back the very first time I met him. Oh the amount of times he has pissed me off!!! Then just like Brendan, he's growing on me.

Well, there's one more person who also pissed me off real bad once in a while way back then but I realized why that one did not grow on me - too much bullshit. Well the other 2 did have their box of crap as well, but then with this one it just overflowed. It is a bit too much when even your best friend can't trust you anymore.

Guess there's something about these male crabs?

Time To Clear Out

Decided to clear all the drafts from the challenge I didn't do and call it a failure. Was fun while it lasted but poetry is still not something I like nor can wrap my head around.

Can't You Just Reciprocate The Favour?

You sit across from me and rant about everything that has been bugging you the other day, asking me if your point of view is valid. Pulled me aside during work to rant about your staff because what he did pissed you off.

Now I sit in your outlet, pissed off about your staff's attitude and all you do is try to defend their stupidity. Can't you just shut up and listen for once? Just once, just really listen and not say a damn thing because that is all I need.

Do you think I don't know that everyone isn't the same and definitely isn't of the same calibre? My standards might be high, but I lower them down accordingly. And if your staff do not have any bloody initiative, it has nothing to do with how high my standard is anymore. It ends up being a lack of teamwork, with staff being unproductive. But you don't seem to get the point and still want to retort as if they are the best team in the world. Fine, since you think they're that good, then why still keep asking for help? Why - because they're not productive!

Something Noticed

Went to a doggie clothes blog/online store and was happily looking through the stuff. Then I happen to flip it down enough to view the people who "liked" the site on Facebook and realise that the profile pictures of the ones that liked it all seem to look the same. Not only that, they liked to do the same dumb "blow up ur cheeks and eyes to look cute" look - and it was not only girls. OMG EWW!

The Voices May Not Be Real, But They Have Some Pretty Good Ideas

And one of these ideas is to try out some molecular gastronomy experiments. But first, I need a little kit. So if anyone finds a kit they think is good, do point it out, especially if I can buy it in Singapore! I've got to go get me a lab coat, some goggles and some rubber gloves! So excited even with no kit to play with yet.

I'd Wear It

Quote you'd want on a t-shirt

Not to repeat the same quote I'd put on my bedroom wall, I decided that it's between the following 2 quotes:

"Some people hear voices, some see invisible people, others have no imagination whatsoever!"

"The voices may not be real, but they have some pretty good ideas!"

I'm already wearing some similar ones anyway.

On Vacation

Picture “Holidays”

Let Your Hair Down...

Quote of your favourite lyric

"Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song

You go ahead, let your hair down

Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,

Just go ahead, let your hair down.

You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow."

 - Put Your Records On, Corinne Bailey Rae

I Have Nothing

What wouldn't you change about your life? Why?

Nothing really. I've learnt to learn from everything, even though some lessons took longer or were more costly than others, the lessons mould me to what I am today. So since I'm fine with what and who I am today, I won't change a thing.

If you expected a longer post, I'm afraid that's all I have on this topic. No regrets.

Pretty Woman's Guide To Customer Service

Quote from a movie

Shop assistant: Hello, can I help you?
Vivian: I was in here yesterday, you wouldn't wait on me.
Shop assistant: Oh.
Vivian: You people work on commission, right?
Shop assistant: Yeah.
Vivian: Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now.

Star Light Star Bright

Picture "Light"

Artificial Space?

Remembering "7th Heaven"

Quote from a TV show


Ruthie: Bad words make me sound bad.
Simon: No, bad words make you sound stupid.

Up Close & Personal

Picture "Close Up"

Some plant seeds in a hole in the wood table at camp.

My Precious!

What is your most treasured possession & why?

Currently it's my Canon camera. Probably because it's the biggest investment out of my savings. It's been a great investment so far. With the addition of the lomo lens adaptor, photography just became much more fun.

Why Am I Writing This?

Write a bad poem, make it as lousy as you can, do everything wrong, let yourself be awful.


Brain dead
Headed to bed
Roll right lay flat roll left
Warm night air sweat dripping wet bed
Bed head

Looking For New Eyes

Uncle Dennis suggested going to Johor to get a new pair of glasses quickly and cheaply, so since I was off (or planned to be), Mom and I are heading replace my scratched up pair.

Disney Once Said...

Favourite Disney quote


"You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you. But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew." 
- Pocahontas

Mother Nature

Picture "Mother Nature"

Cooking Up A Storm Maybe?

Good Couple Of Things

Two good things that happened recently.


1) The goondu finally left!

2) I finally got a great team!

Reflection

Picture "Reflection"

Fun in the house of mirrors...

But something else to reflect upon....

List It.

Write a list poem.

My House

Is full of books that are mostly in a shelf

Is full of dog toys strewn all over the floor

Is full of food so no one goes hungry

Is full of love where everyone can call home

Will You Be My Valentine?

The person you like and why you like them.

You're confusing, which makes me itch to figure you out.

You're naivete makes me smile.

You're awkwardness makes me laugh.

I Won't Say Who

Quote that reminds you of someone


"Sometimes if you're lucky, someone comes into your life, who'll take up a place in your heart that no one else can fill. Someone who's tighter than a twin, more with you than your own shadow. Who gets deeper under your skin than your own blood and bones."
- Snoop Dogg

Light , Or Dark, Or In Between

Picture "Colour"

Can't Wait!

Something you’re really excited for



Can't wait for Christmas this year! Grandpa has already booked his flight here, then followed by a flight to Perth. So that's where we're going to go! Sorry to those who have been looking forward to Apple Pie for Christmas. I'll try to get mom to make a few before we leave maybe.

From "Tuesdays With Morrie"

Quote from a book


“Don't cling to things because everything is impermanent.”
― Mitch Albom

Keep Moving

Picture "Movement"

Go surfer! Go!

The 5 People ....

Five things you want to say to five people.


To "Dustbin Man" - "Don't act dumb. You're not smart enough to cover the fact that you're cunning and deceitful. So respect yourself a little more and actually do something that people will appreciate you for."

To "Virgin Gay" - "Crying wolf won't help when you really want to tell the truth. And crying wolf on a social networking site is even worse, if not pitiful and pathetic."

To Angie - "I hope you can be my guide in Japan, but I'm also hoping for cheap flights and sakura blooms! Fingers crossed!!!"

To Airol - "Stop hiding in the closet already!!!"

To Amy - "Stop counting the years, stop dwelling in the past. Make the years count, livein the present. Just appreciate what the future holds."

The Writings On The Wall

Quote you would write on your bedroom wall



"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter & those who matter don't mind." - Bernard Baruch

What Focus?

Picture "Out of Focus".

Have You Changed Your IC Yet Amy?

For The First TIme

Talk about the first time you met your friends


Hmmm.... The one that made the biggest impact was Eddie, as I always said, he creeped me out before I even know his name. So if I don't remember how we met, it doesn't always mean it's a bad thing. :P

Shirley - We were in the same Kindergarten but I only remembered knowing her in Primary school, and we were both in the same class.

Sabrina - we sat at the back in Kindergarten and would "cook" up a storm.

Manvinder - we were in the same class in Primary 5, but I only got to know her more in Primary 6. I still do not recall much of 1992 school-wise.

Fadillah - The love of food probably brought us together, living close to each other also did help.

Aili - she ended up as my class partner in Secondary school. Music, aka the boyband phase, did help gel us, and a few more girls, together.

Amy - she sat in front of me in Secondary school. Aili was that middleman, aka translator, between us.

Eddie - he and the really creepy guy appeared behind me once in a while behind me calling out my name. Only when we were in Secondary 3 were we in the same class.

Airol - I swore I saw him at orientation but he said he never went for it. But he was the one I could SMELL arriving to class. The first group project was how were got to know each other.

Angie - first in class was either her or myself. So we talked but hung out in different groups.

Adi - just as she started in Dome at Parkmall, I ended my services a few months later. I think it was being the "newbies" that got us together.

Yana - my Shi Fu in Dimbulah. She thought me a lot, which helped me on my current journey.

Yau Ching - one of the few people who I would say knows how to "run the show". Although he needs lessons in communication :P

Pistachio To Varnish

Write a poem that includes all of the following words: pistachio, ink, pebble, weather, varnish.

No varnish on the wood,

Through all weather it stood

Worn out like a pebble by water

Cracks form as the days got hotter

Like nature's version of L.A. Ink

Coloured patterns from pistachio to zinc

What's That On The Floor?

Picture "On the Floor"

I don't know... ask the birdie

Shots Shots Shots Shots Shots Shots

Your opinion on alcohol.



Alcohol is just like drugs. Useful for the right purpose, and not good when abused.

It's good applied to mosquito bites, cooling them off so they stop swelling and they don't itch. It's good to clean wounds and kill germs. But most people use rubbing alcohol for such things. However, vodka works equally well for the bites.

Alcohol for consumption can be good to add a little spice to parties and gatherings. However, when just one person drinks too much and starts acting a fool, it just spoils the mood. It's alright if you loosen up and laugh a little bit more, laugh a little louder, tell crazy jokes, flirt a little. However, if you start crying, throwing ice everywhere, pick fights, and start throwing up everywhere, just learn not to drink. Don't even bother drinking if you can't handle it as you also won't know when to stop.

Anyway, it's not good too drink too much anyway as it'll affect your liver.

So just like drugs, use it right and don't abuse it.

Mom is 60 already?

Gender Issues

Five things that irritate you about the same sex? Opposite sex?

Same Sex:

1. They way some of them complain about being fat when they are already walking lollipops. If you're fat, what the hell am I?
2. The kind that take stupid photos of themselves with their eyes exaggeratedly large, cheeks blown up like chipmunk's, pursed lips and the signature peace sign placed somewhere around their face. U just look like a blow-up doll, and most likely, guys will use you as one.
3. Wearing 5 inch heels but end up walking with your neck sticking out to balance yourself. Why bother when you don't have an arse to enhance in the first place.
4. Walking as if you're marching and one of those carrying the flags. Seriously, is there something stuck between your legs?
5. Wearing tights as pants and nothing long enough to cover your camel toe. VPL is ok... camel toe? NOOOOOOOOOO!

Opposite Sex:

1. The dumb ones who carry their girlfriend's handbags. Worse still if they act as though the bag is their own.
2. The kind that talk like they know everything but know nothing at all. If you don't know about it, just admit that you don't.
3. The kind that think women are bad drivers. We're all human, everyone has their good and bad days. One thing to note though, taxi drivers are mostly men.
4. How some sit as if they've got big testicles. If they really are that big, you might want to get them checked for an infection.
5. Wearing pants too low, like below you butt is too low. Or wearing that weird fisherman pants that seems like you're wearing diapers that are drooping because it's full of crap.

Text

Who was the last person you texted? Write a five line poem to that person.

Hello

I texted you

It was made on the go

It was something out of the blue

Goodbye

Splat!

Picture "Shadows"

Shadow of bird poop from the windscreen onto mom's pants.

Haiku Headache!

Write a haiku. They’re often about nature, but yours can be about anything.

"Syllables"

I have realised

That Haikus have lines of three

Of five seven five.

Inspired

Day 33: Visit a virtual art gallery and look around until you find a piece that intrigues you. Write a poem inspired by the artwork.

You inspire people

As for me I am confused

Splatter Splats and Swirls

Hate

Something you hate.





People who are just stupidly rude. The kind that don't have an ounce of courtesy in them no matter what the reason may be.

Is it that hard to say excuse me to ask for a bit of space should you need to pass another person rather than barge through, possibly stepping on someone else' toe or hurting the other person? Sorry might be the hardest word to say but if you were courteous enough to say excuse me in the first place, you most likely wouldn't need to say sorry after.

Then there are the kind that don't seem to understand what an appointment is when they decided that canceling right the very minute you're supposed to be there with no proper excuse. If you can't make an appointment, cancel it in advance - like maybe in the 2 hours you had before the appointment? If you're going to be at least 15 minutes late, then let the other party know. Don't leave people waiting for half an hour without a word, or tell the other person "Hey I'm in a hurry, I got to go, will pass you the items tomorrow or next week" right at the very minute the person arrives to meet you. So unless someone died, or is dying at home within the last 30 minutes to the appointment, please don't pull stupid stunts that just piss people off.

Another is to not respect other people's property. If you want to use something that is not yours, do ask the owner for permission. Do put items back where you found them or in the same condition you got them. If you're asked about the specifics of the usage, don't lie and use it for something it shouldn't be used for. If it's meant for a square, don't use it for a rectangle. It would also be nice if you would return things once you're done using them.

Finally, don't take advantage of people's kindness by assuming that they would go out of their way just to do things for you. If you need something from someone, you have to think that they are going out of their way to help you in the first place, so don't go demanding for things. Another thing is, if you should borrow something, do return it to the owner once you're done and not wait till the owner calls for it to be returned. Don't go asking/expecting the owner to come get their own things, especially when they sent it over to you in the first place. It is one way to ensure that no one will loan anything to you though.

In the end, it all boils down to your character. If you're rude, you end up looking rather uneducated and uncultured, which most likely, you are.

If I Ever

Quote you would inscribe on your wedding ring

Don't think a wedding ring could take that long a quote, so I'll keep it simple:

"Forever & Always"

Mr Blubberoo

Write a short poem that a child would like.

Who is that giant in the ocean blue

It's the whale they call Mr Blubberoo

With his tail he waves his hello

Then a fountain from his head he'll blow

Makes a big splash and then he's gone

Deep down in the ocean swimming on and on.

Dad is 61!!!

A to Z

Day 48: "Alphabet-ography"

Airport

Batik

Christmas Tree

Dessert

Elephant Clam

Ferris Wheel

Gratin

Hello Kitty

Identity

Jerky

Keyboard

Luggage

Map

Noodles

Overlocker

Passport

Quilt

Rose

Sandwich

Turtle

Umbrellas

Vodka

Wheel

Xiao Long Bao

Yolk

Zap!

"Beautiful" By Christina Aguilera

Day 47: Your favorite song and why it’s your favorite song


The lyrics are empowering and should be told to anyone who has any self esteem issues.

Don't look at me

Everyday is so wonderful

Then suddenly

It's hard to breathe

Now and then I get insecure

From all the pain

I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful

No matter what they say

Words can't bring me down

I am beautiful

In every single way

Yes words can't bring me down

Oh no

So don't you bring me down today

To all your friends you're delirious

So consumed

In all your doom, ooh

Trying hard to fill the emptiness

The pieces gone

Left the puzzle undone

Ain't that the way it is

You're beautiful

No matter what they say

Words can't bring you down

Oh no

You're beautiful

In every single way

Yes words can't bring you down

Oh no

So don't you bring me down today

No matter what we do

(No matter what we do)

No matter what we say

(No matter what we say)

We're the song inside the tune

(Yeah, oh yeah)

Full of beautiful mistakes

And everywhere we go

(And everywhere we go)

The sun will always shine

(The sun will always, always, shine)

And tomorrow we might awake

On the other side

We're beautiful

No matter what they say

Yes words won't bring us down

Oh no

We are beautiful

In every single way

Yes words can't bring us down

Oh no

So don't you bring me down today

Oh, oh

Don't you bring me down today

Don't you bring me down, ooh

Today

Too Little Too Late

Even if superstars were to have a concert planned and cancelled it at the last minute, other than the fact that the superstar was seriously injured, sick or dead, the biggest fans would still get angry.

So if you've already confirmed a meeting at a certain time, don't tell me last minute that you need to hurry back home and do it right on the dot when I'm supposed to arrive. Furthermore, DON'T do it by text message. Couldn't even wait for me to pick up the phone, and you know I shouldn't talk on the phone while driving. Seriously what the hell was so urgent that you had to leave at 10 on the dot? Was your brother dying? Obviously not when you can run back just to pass me what you're supposed to in the first place.

How do you not expect me to get angry when you're that RUDE? How can you expect me to give you a smile just because you tried to rectify your mistake? You're lucky you weren't already in the MRT and would then decide not to run back. If that was the case, you'd get a lot more hell from me.

So thanks for wasting another 6 minutes running back and forth the same path just to pass me all the containers, when it would have just been a minute for me to go up, take it from you and you would have the additional 5 minutes to stroll to the MRT station just ONCE.

Page 8

Day 46: Find the nearest book (of any kind). Turn to page 8. Use the first ten full words on the page in a poem. You may use them in any order, anywhere in the poem.

With a love for food

It is essential that it tastes good.

Our social lives revolve around it

Only a few will not eat even a little bit.

To make an interesting dish better

A balanced mix of part tart, sweet, salty, bitter.

A poem from 10 words my brain derives

"Food is not only an essential part of our lives"

And That's Why I Smile

Day 45: Quote that makes you smile


"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Day 44: Something you’re worrying about.



The biggest worry I have, and probably the one constant worry in my life, is if I will be able to take care of my parents when my dad officially retires. The thing is my mom has plans that seem to have them take care of themselves, but I'm thinking of the point when they have a hard time walking or even getting out of bed. I'm hoping they won't end up bed ridden, and I know both of them don't want it for themselves either. Then again, life is unpredictable, and euthanasia is not legal.

Honestly, people and pets come and go, so I don't worry about having anyone leaving or dying on me. However, my parents took care of me, and when it's time for me to do the same, I worry I can't take care of them as well as they've taken care of me.

Lost Cinquain

Day 43: Write a cinquain on a topic of your choice.

Alas

I wrote something

In a blue gifted book

But it was lost when I travelled

Dang It!

Gluttony

Day 42: Picture “Gluttony”

I Wonder How You Did It Really....

As I was waiting for my own dinner, I was watching this guy having his and was actually quite pleased to see that a guy that actually chewed with his mouth closed, even as his nose was full of mucus threatening to leak out. Well it did help that he was rather good looking too... but it was the closed mouth that got me more interested than anything really. Seriously, I'm amazed he almost finished his bowl of noodles without having to blow his nose or chew like my dog. Hahaha!

Facebook Status Poetry?

Day 41: Write a poem of any length incorporating every word from your latest Facebook status.

"Feel like eating Tau Huay"

Something soft from something hard

Smooth like silk and unmarred

The feel on my tongue like a ballet

As I'm eating every scoop of Tau Huay

Life

Day 40: Quote about life


“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
― Maya Angelou

Cure Or Poison

Day 39: Your opinion on drugs


Some drugs that might be good for one person, might not be necessarily good for another. Then there are some drugs which just shouldn't have been made - but I guess there were some curious chemists out there, and obviously some willing test subjects.

I would say that drugs have helped lengthen life expectancy throughout the years, and also helped eased a lot of pain. However, abusing drugs doesn't help with the statistics.

So cure or poison, it depends on being used or abused.

31 Years for Eddie

Diabetic Death

Day 38: Picture "Sweet"

How I'd love to learn to make such lovely stuff

The 16th for Marcel & 31st for Shirley

The Best Thing Is Free!

Day 37: The best thing to happen to you this week.


If I had got some abalone it would have been the best, but alas, the big ones big enough for the picking decided not to get too close to shore. :(

So I'd say the best thing was a swim in the Murrey River to clean myself when there was no shower in the campsite. The water was nice and cool, and it was extremely refreshing!

Lemony Fresh!

Day 36: Write a three line poem about lemons without using the following words: lemon, yellow, round, fruit, citrus, tart, juicy, peel, and sour.

You take the stink out of fish, 

and can make a really sweet dish.

Create mystery as invisible ink, 

and add zest to any drink.

Multipurpose, versitile, and sometimes green, 

biting into you I am not keen.

Who Do 'you Have Faith In?

Day 35: Your opinion on religion.

Personally, I don't have a religion, but I do believe that there is some sort of higher power(s) lurking around. I've never liked the idea that I had to follow certain rules in religions just to say you believe in a god or gods, or in anything at all really. I find religions a bit too suffocating that way.

Why do I need to abstain from certain foods for lessons passed down through generations, when diabetes already has me abstaining from certain foods. Why do I need to abstain from using contraceptives when AIDS is among one of the diseases that can be passed on the easiest through intercourse?

I do feel that religions mostly tell followers to be good - which is good when some people are lost in life.

In the end, it's what you have faith in. If you think believe in "what goes around comes around" then maybe a religion believing in karma will be it. Or if you believe that the world is created through evolution, there just might be a bunch of other believers like you.

As for me, I believe in a few different things, all made up of different ideas found in different religions. In the end, it's what I believe in, and since there's nothing out there that is similar 100%, I don't have a religion - but then again, I probably won't bother following all the rules if there was one. I rather just go with the flow and do what I think is right.

Happy 12th Birthday Ian